The Cabinet gave its approval to the Rs 8,000 crore programme for river management in flood-affected states, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told reporters here.

The in-principle approval to the project was given by the Union Cabinet. The project includes river management, flood control, anti-erosion works, drainage development, flood proofing, flood-prone area development programme, restoration of damaged flood management works in the entire country.

The projects for Central assistance were selected by an Empowered Committee of Secretaries. The schemes cover the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Barak basins and other areas on the basis of Detailed Project Report.

The National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) mentions that pending flood control and drainage schemes in North Bihar and West Bengal, besides prevention of erosion in Ganga-Padma and Bhagirathi, would be completed expeditiously. NCMP also states that the Central government would fully support flood control works in inter-state rivers and rivers flowing from across the border.

The Cabinet also approved for introduction, a bill that which will ensure laying of the Annual Reports and audited accounts of the Central Universities, in Parliament.